ANFIELD FAMILY ‘LIVERPOOL FAN OF THE WEEK’

Anfield Family’s ‘Liverpool Fan of the Week’ is a special feature on this website where fans of Liverpool FC get to introduce and express themselves to thousands of fans around the world. Last week our editorial team received a message on our Facebook page from Veran, who expressed his interest to be featured in this section. And guess what? He happened to be a fan of Liverpool FC since 28 YEARS! YES, you saw that number right! He has seen all the ups and downs of the team for so many years: right from the glory Dalglish-Fowler days to the darkest Gillette-Hicks days and he has remained a loyal fan throughout these years. He has even made managed to turn his son into a Liverpool fan. Let’s hear his interesting story.

Veran and his son

Name: Veran JankeeAge: 40Address: Westville, South AfricaOccupation: Print ConsultantE-mail: Veran.jankee@gmail.comInterests: Football, Rock climbing, Rescue Services1. How long has it been since you supported Liverpool FC?
My love affair with Liverpool FC began around 1987, during their glory years. Thus, it’s been about 28 years, since I have been supporting the greatest English Football Club.

2. How did you become a Liverpool fan?
During my school years, I was an athlete and focused all my attention and training on running. Those days, only a few families owned a TV set in their homes in South Africa and my family wasn’t one of them. So watching live football wasn’t easy. However, those days, a really good friend of mine had a TV set in his home and he also happened to belong to a family of die hard Liverpool supporters. Hence, luckily, I got the opportunity to watch several Liverpool games with them. From the moment I saw Liverpool play, I became mesmerized with their game and fell in Love with the club. I am very sure that I will die a Red.
From those days, when several of us used to watch Liverpool play in a small TV screen, to the present day where I watch the game at home on a giant screen with theatre sound, watching Liverpool FC play is still an equally magical experience.

3. Who is your favorite Liverpool legend and why?
Steven Gerrard for sure. I love his vision and his leadership. Will miss him dearly after the end of this season. But, I also cannot exclude the names of John Barnes and Robbie Fowler, who were the Liverpool legends, when I started watching football.

4. Who is your current favorite player in the team?
I really am impressed with Lazar Markovic, this season. The speed with which he can move the ball forward is simply exceptional. Even my Manchester United supporting wife appreciates him very much. I am confident that Markovic will mature to be an excellent player.

5. Which one player do you suggest the Liverpool board to buy for the next season and why?
I’d really like to see Karim Benzema at Liverpool. He is a very dangerous player with the ball up front and my opinion is that he is the one Liverpool needs to fill the gap that Balotelli and Lambert haven’t been able to do this season. Signing Marco Reus would be amazing, but I guess that’s not happening.

Veran with other Liverpool Fans in South Africa

6. Given the chance to watch Liverpool play at Anfield, which opponent would you choose and why?
Definitely Manchester United! The rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United is probably the greatest rivalry in football and personally I feel that the atmosphere during those games seem magical. Each time they play, I have palpitations. Another great game to watch at Anfield would be the Merseyside Derby.

7. Which new signing in Liverpool are you most happy with in the current season?
I’m very happy with Emre Can this season. He defends really well and makes great moves in the midfield. However, I really hope that he stops picking too many cards as that could be costly for the team. Another signing that I am really happy with is Adam Lallana.

8. Your favorite Liverpool match (that you watched live)?
Definitely the 2005 Champions League final at Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul. Liverpool seemed to be losing it, then what an amazing comeback they made- all the way from three goals behind to finally win it on penalties. That has got to be one of the most joyous moment ever in my life. I still have saved the newspaper article in my home.

10. What’s your expectation for Liverpool this season?
I’d like to see our No.8 get his birthday send off at Wembley. That would just be the cherry on top of a dream career. I’m also hoping to see a third place finish in the league. Let’s hope we can pull it back against Blackburn.

Veran Celebrating his Liverpool themed birthday

11. What’s the most memorable thing that you have done as a Liverpool fan?
Sadly, not all of us are fortunate enough to get to Anfield, however, as a fan and a parent, one of my most memorable moments came last year, when my 2-year-old son came over during the game and said “pappa I support Leeapewl”. He then proceeded to climb onto my lap and watch the entire game with me.
Another memorable thing that I would like to recall happened during my 40th birthday celebration this year. My boy and I were the only Liverpool supporters at My Liverpool themed birthday party. A lot of the invitees in the party were friends and family members who supported Manchester United and I demanded them that I would only cut the cake if the sang Liverpool’s theme song ‘You Will Never Walk Alone’. Hence, I made all the United supporters sing along with me.

12. Your message to other Liverpool fans.
Be a loyal fan. True fans will support their team and manager even if they are close to relegation. It’s the passion of Liverpool supporters that puts us among the greatest fans on earth. Support Liverpool FC proudly through the rain and the storm.

Do you wish to be featured in this section live Veran? Just send us a personal message through our Facebook Page, upon which our team members will contact you back. YNWA.